Meter for measuring elastic fluids.



A. R. DODGE. METER FOB. MEASURING ELASTIG FLUIDS.

APPLIUATION FILED 123.12, 19'10,

Patented Mar. 18', 1913.

Witnesses: lnveTTLor:

' .yflustin H Dod e,l

UNITED STATES` PATENT OFFICE.

AUSTIN B. DODGE?, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW `YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL ELECTRIC I COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METER FOR MEASURING vIELASTIC FLUIDS.

To all whom it may concern y, for measuring the rate of flow of'` steam or vzo lso

air thr`ou h a pipe ormain.

The oh]ect of my invention is to provide a meterwhich is simple in construction and reliable in operation. A y

A further object of my inventiondis to provide a. meter wherein the device which directly indicates the rate of flow can be situated at any desired distance -from the mainor pipe whose flow is being metered, while the partthat'is acted upon by the fluid is located partly within the pipe and partly outside. Such an arrangement has the advantagefthat said device can be located on the. switchboard of a power station, or in the office of the station, or wherever it is desirable.` This also permits of the portion of the meter that is connected to the pipebeing located atthe most desirable point with respect to the. source of supply, which point is frequently inaccessible.

'In the accompanying drawing, which is illustrativeofone of the embodiments of my' invention, is shown my improved meter i-n a more or less diagrammatic manner for the sake of simplicity.

' 1 indicates' the main or pipe through which the fluid to be metered flows.` The size. of this pipel will depend upon the volujme ofuid that is to bev conveyed.- Located within or forming a part ofthe vpipe is an agent for causing apressure difference dependent upon the rate of flow, in this case a Pitot tube -comprisinginthe present illustrationi of my-invention va funnel` 2, whose large end faces` the moving column of fluid to be metered, and may for 1 convenience be termed the high-pressure portion of the Pitottube.

This funnel is connectedby a pipe 3 with oneside of fa U- shaped tube 4, so that whatever pressure eX- ists due tothe action of the funnel is con- `veyed to the mercury column in the U-tube.

gmThe .U1til`bercomprises two hollow legs 5 andv 6, whichiare'spported `top andibottom by heads 7 and 8. The lower head 8 is provided with a passage 9 for connecting the two legs of the tube. The other portion of the Pitot tube comprises, in the present illustration, a funnellO that may be open at both ends. This funnel faces in the opposite vdirection from the funnel 2, and for convenience may be termed the low-pressure portion of the Pitot tube. It is connected by the pipe 11 with the leg 6 of the U-tube. I have shown the tunnels relatively large for the salte of clearness of illustration. In actual practice they are made much smaller, soasto otter. `he minimum amount of opposition to flow of the fluid. l ,i

If the temperature and :pressure of the fluid to be metered are constant, the amount of fluid flowing Ain thepipel will be propor tional to the velocity. The Huid acting on the funnel Qcreates a pressure that is due to 'the velocity head, while the pressure due to the funnel 10 is equal to the static pressure in t-he pipe minus a pressure due to the velocity head. As a result of this the body of mercury or otherheavy fluid l2 inthe U-tube will be forced to a greater or less extent from the lego .into the leg 6. The amount of fluid 'in the U-tube thus transferredwill depend upon fthe pressure difference created by the agent.

'The legs '5 and 6 may with advantage be made of some material which is a non-conalso strong' enough to withstand the pres sure of the fluid in the pipe l. The present meter is intended for high-pressure service, although by suitable modification of thescales it can be adapted for low pressures.

In order to communicate the movements. of the mercury to a device capable-of"show- Patented Mar. 18, 1913. 'Application led February 12, 1910. Serial No. '543,590.

ductor of electricity, or is insulated and is ingv the rate of flow of fluid-inthe pipe 1,` -a i resistance unit 13' is located in one of the legsv of the'U-tube 4 and is immersed to a greater or lessextent in the mercury or other heavy fluid capable of conducting electricity. The unit may be made in a variety of ways Vso long as its resistance will 4be changed by the movements of the bodylof mercury or other'heavy fluid, Care'should be taken. to see that the material is of such a -f character and has such a: sur-face finish that .the mercury o-r other fluid in the tube will not cling to it when the level is lowered.V If it does cling it may interfere with the accuracy ofthe readings. When no fluid is flowtion said meanscomprises a coil 16 mountedwhen there is a flow, the heights of said columns will be unequal and the difference will be determined by the pressure difference createdy by the agent. A change in height of the mercury column in leg 6 will change the resistance by cutting more orless of the lresistance unit into or out of circuit. The

ends of the unit pass through suitable insulators 14 that also serve to prevent the escape of fluid from the U-tube. In circuit with the unit is, a means for furnishing electricity thereto at a constant or'substantially constant voltage. It may be a. .battery 15, the exciting circuit of the power station in whichv the meter is located, or other source of power, as desired;

Connected to the battery and to the lower;

end of the resistance unit is a means sensitive to changes in current flow for indicating the extent of such changes, and coperating with said meansis a scale or chart suitably calibratedso that therate of How' ofthe fluid in the pipe 1 per unit of time can be read directly, as in pounds flow per hour, for example. In the present illustraon a spindle for oscillating movement, and through which current from the source15 flows, the amount of flow being" determined by 'the resistance in circuit, while theV amount of resistance in circuit is determined by the deflection of the mercury from to t-he scale is a segment ofa Worm-wheel 22.

one leg to the other of the 'U-tube. t The coil 16 is located between the pole pieces of a permanent or electromagnet 17. Acting in opposition to the movements of the coil are means, such as one or more springs 18 located one below the other that kmay also be used to carry current to the coil. It will be observed that the coil 16 and the magnet form an electric motor for moving the needle or pointer over the scale or dial' of the meter. `I have shown an exceedingly simple motor for this purpose, but do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the specie form of motor shown. l Suitably mounted on the easing inclosing the magnet .is' a scaleY or dial 19 having flow lines 2O marked thereon which are usually pensate for this a pressure correction device 1s provided. The scale 19 is supported Aon a pivot 21,' and below said pivot andattache'd This meshes with a worm 23 'having a hand- "wheel 24, by means of which the position of the scale can be changed. On the righthand side of the scale 19, and movable there-V` with, is a scale 25'calibrated in terms of pressure. Adjacent thereto is a scale 26 that is` normally fixedin position, but can be moved circumferentially by hand, which is calibrated in terms of temperature. This scale is movable in a curved slot 27, vand is normally clamped by the screw 28. Thev figures 1, 2 and 3 above the zero indicate percentages of moisture. Outside of the vscale 26is a fixed scale 29 calibrated in terms of pipe diameter, and used when the meter is charged from one pipe to another having al different diameter. Assuming the pipe 1 to beof six inchesdiameter, the superheat d zero, and the pressure pounds per square inch either by gage or absolute, dependingv upon the calibration, the various scales will be arranged as shown. If the pipe diameter is increased, the temperature remaining the same, the zero on scale 26 will be adjusted to register with the-figure indicating` the diameter. If thetemperature only is changed, temperature scale`26 remains undisturbed but pressure scale 25 is moved to coincide with. the new ,temperature on scale 26. If t-he pressure is changed, scale 25 is moved to bring the new pressure' opposite the tem- ,perature on scale 26. Thel net result of the foregoing actions is to shift. the flow lines to such positions that they will when compared with the pointer or 'needle 30 moving with the coil 16 give 'a true indication of the rate of flow of. steam or air in the pipe 1 for a given unit of tilne.- Afterv the scalemare once set, they ordinarily will not 4be changed, for under usual operating conditions the` pressure and temperature of' the fluid to be metered are kept as nearly constant asv possible. The pressure in the pipe will ordinarily be determined by a suitable gage, such as the ordinary steam gage, and

vthe temperature or superheatl by a suitable thermometer, or equivalent device. The di-l ameter of the pipe will, of course, be obtained by measuring it.y For dilierent ranges of pressure, temperature and'pipe di.

ameter I may use other, but similar scales,

suitably calibrated.

reo

Assuming thatv the mercury is 'forced downward in leg 5, as shown, by reason of j the pressure due to funnel 2 and up in leg` 6,' more of the resistance unit will be shortcircuited or cut out, with the result that more current will flow in the coil 16. Un

'der these conditions the coil turns on its pivot between the field poles of the magnet and swings lthe pointer to the right where, the flow lines indicate greater rates of flowlll The intersection of the pointer'with a flow line, or 'its position with res ect to such a line will indicate at'once the ow in the pipe,

isb

1. Conversely, if the flow decreases the mercury will flow from leg 6 into leg 5 of the U-tube, the resistance .will be increased, and'lience the springs 18 will swing the pointer toward a position of lower reading. The indicating portion of my limproved meter can be located wherever it is most desirable. It can be Vclosely associated with the-,U- and Pitot tubes, or remote therefrom. l By reason of this feature the indicating portion, which must be relatively delicate to insure the best results, can be kept out of the boiler or engine room, and will be free from dust and dirt. Furthermore, -it can be so situated that it is free from vibration of the engines and pipe lines.

`I have shown and described a type pf Pitot tube or agent for establishing a pressure difference in the legs of the U-tube which I have found to operate satisfactorily in practice, but it is to be understood that the invention is` not limited thereto, nor to any particular form or type of agent. The principal thing. is to have an agent which will establish a pressure difference lon the legs of the mercury `column which bears a definite relation to the rate of flow of the fluidv in the pipe. It is also important to have an agent which offers the least possible resistance to flow of thel fluid inthe pipe.

`'Ihe movements of` the mercury in the U- tube are comparatively small for ordinary changes in the rate of flow of the fluid being metered. On the other hand, by arranging the electrical instrument or device as I have these small movements are greatly -cating device a motion-multiplying means.

In accordance with the provisions of the4 l patent statutes, I have described-the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider` to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the embodiment Vshown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

' What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a fluid meter, the combination of an agent which establishes a. pressure difference whose value bears a definiterelation tothe rate of flow of the fluid, 'an

electrical instrument comprising a movable element, a suitably calibrated scale, a needle moved by saidzelement over thev scale, a means for adjusting the scale with respect to the needle to compensate for a change inthe operating conditions,said means includ'ing a device calibrated in terms of said changed condition, a source of current supply for said instrument, and a resistance in circuit with the instrument and said` source Whose effective action is determined by the pressure difference established by tlie agent. Y

2. In a fluid meter, the combination of an agentthat -creates a pressure difference whose value is determined by the rate of flow of the fluid being metered, an electrical instrument located at a point remote from.

the agent and comprisinga pivoted coil and a field ma-gnet, a needle moved by the coil, a scale provided with flow lines .to indicate the rates of flow of a fluid perunit of/time, a pivot for the scale' that is parallel to the pivot of the coil, means for adjusting' the scale about itspivct for different operating conditions, a source of current supply for the instrument, a resistance coil located in a body of conducting fluid, said fluid being acted upon by the pressurev difference due to the agent, and conductors for conveying current between the source of current, the instrument and the resistance.

i 3. InV a( fluid meter, the combination of an agent that creates a pressure difference whose value is determined by the rat-e of flow of the fluid. being metered, a U- tube connected to the agent and containing a 'fluid that is a conductor of electricity, `a resistance located in the tube and whose effective action is controlled by the distribution of'luid in the tube, an electrical in strument, comprising a motor, la needle moved thereby, a scale over which the needle moves, means for adjusting the scalaivigularly to compensate `for a change he operating' conditions, and a source o f current supply for the instrument that is controlled by the resistance.

l` In a fluid meter, the combination of an agent that creates aA pressure difference whose valueis determined by the rate of flow of the fluid being metered, a mercury container connected to the agent, a resistance' located in the container whose effective action depends upon the displacement of the mercury 'iii the container by said agenttan electrical .measuring instrument comprising a member that is connected electrically to the resistance, afield magnet therefor, a

needle moved by the member, a scale cali-V izo resistance and the said member, and a source f of current supply included in said connections.

5. In a iluid meter, the vcombination of an agent loca-ted in the pipe through which l ,a4 source of current supply for the instruvio the Huid to be metered flows, a pivoted indi` ment, a resistance in circuit with the instrument and sald source, means whereby the cator', means for transmitting the effects of the agent ,to the indicator and causing it to move about its axis, a scale having lines thereon indicating rates of flow with respect to which the indicator moves, a second scale calibrated in terms of pressure which coperates with the first, and means for angularly adjusting lthe first mentioned scale. l

6. In va fluid meter, the combination of an agent located in the pipe through which the fluid to be metered fiows, a pivoted'needle, .means including a motor for transmlttlng the effects of the agent to the needle, a scale having curved lines thereon indicating rates of flow and cooperating with the first, a second scale calibrated in. terms of pressure, and a scale calibrated in lterms of tempera- .ture 'and with respect Vto which the first scale is adjustable.

7. In a fluid meter,.the combination of an agent located in the' pipe through which the corrections lo Lonoro Poooof No.1 ,056.51'3. v

fluid to `be metered iows, an indicater, means for transmittin-g the effects of the agent to the indicator, a. scale having .lines thereon indicating rates .offlow over which the indicator moves` a secondscale calibrated in terms of pressure and coperating with the first, a third scale calibrated in terms of temperature and coperating with the first, and a scale calibrated in terms of pipe diameter whereby the indications of the indicator can be corrected for changes in pressure, temperature and pipe diameter.

8. In a fiuld meter, the combination of an agent that creates a pressure difi'erence which bearsa definite relation tothe rate ofv flow of the fluid being metered, an electrical effective' action of the resistance is determined by the pressure difference due to the action `of the agent, a scale calibrated in terms of the rate of flow, a pivotal nounting for said scale, a -needle that is moved over the scale by said movable element, a scale concentric with said pivotal mounting and calibrated in terms 'of the pressure of the Huid, said scale being movable with the first scale, a scale calibrated in terms of the tern- 'perature of they fluid which scale'adjoins the fiow of the fluid being metered, a needle, a

vertical nivo-t for the needle, a horizontal scale calibrated in terms of the rate of flow of the fluid, means whereby the needle is caused to move over Vthe scale by the pressure difference due to the action of the agent,l and means. for adjusting the scale relatively to said pivotto compensate for changes inV operating conditions.;

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto setmy hand this tenth day ofFebruary, 1910. AUSTIN R. .DODGE- Witnesses:

HELEN Onronn, BENJAMIN B. HULL.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Iatent No. 1,056,513, granted March 1,8, 1913,v `u ,pon the application of Austin R.`Dodge, of Schenectady, New York, for an im-` provement in Meters for MeasuringY Elastic F luid errors appeal-Kin the printed-y specifcation requiring correction asfollows: Page 2, line 81., for the word f charged rood "munged,- pogo ,flioo 17 ooriko ooo oho words ood oooperooiog wioh obo argo, same page, line 1.8, after the word pressure insert the words and cooperating with thierst; and that the said Letters Patent shouldy be read wthtbese corrections Vtherein that the same may conform to the record of the case inthe Patent o sgooo ooo oooled this 15th doy of apra, a. D., 1913.v

C. C. BILLINGS,

Acting Commissioner Qf Paten/ts.

agent loca-ted in the pipe through which l ,a4 source of current supply for the instruvio the Huid to be metered flows, a pivoted indi` ment, a resistance in circuit with the instrument and sald source, means whereby the cator', means for transmitting the effects of the agent ,to the indicator and causing it to move about its axis, a scale having lines thereon indicating rates of flow with respect to which the indicator moves, a second scale calibrated in terms of pressure which coperates with the first, and means for angularly adjusting lthe first mentioned scale. l

6. In va fluid meter, the combination of an agent located in the pipe through which the fluid to be metered fiows, a pivoted'needle, .means including a motor for transmlttlng the effects of the agent to the needle, a scale having curved lines thereon indicating rates of flow and cooperating with the first, a second scale calibrated in. terms of pressure, and a scale calibrated in lterms of tempera- .ture 'and with respect Vto which the first scale is adjustable.

7. In a fluid meter,.the combination of an agent located in the' pipe through which the corrections lo Lonoro Poooof No.1 ,056.51'3. v

fluid to `be metered iows, an indicater, means for transmittin-g the effects of the agent to the indicator, a. scale having .lines thereon indicating rates .offlow over which the indicator moves` a secondscale calibrated in terms of pressure and coperating with the first, a third scale calibrated in terms of temperature and coperating with the first, and a scale calibrated in terms of pipe diameter whereby the indications of the indicator can be corrected for changes in pressure, temperature and pipe diameter.

8. In a fiuld meter, the combination of an agent that creates a pressure difi'erence which bearsa definite relation tothe rate ofv flow of the fluid being metered, an electrical effective' action of the resistance is determined by the pressure difference due to the action `of the agent, a scale calibrated in terms of the rate of flow, a pivotal nounting for said scale, a -needle that is moved over the scale by said movable element, a scale concentric with said pivotal mounting and calibrated in terms 'of the pressure of the Huid, said scale being movable with the first scale, a scale calibrated in terms of the tern- 'perature of they fluid which scale'adjoins the fiow of the fluid being metered, a needle, a

vertical nivo-t for the needle, a horizontal scale calibrated in terms of the rate of flow of the fluid, means whereby the needle is caused to move over Vthe scale by the pressure difference due to the action of the agent,l and means. for adjusting the scale relatively to said pivotto compensate for changes inV operating conditions.;

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto setmy hand this tenth day ofFebruary, 1910. AUSTIN R. .DODGE- Witnesses:

HELEN Onronn, BENJAMIN B. HULL.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Iatent No. 1,056,513, granted March 1,8, 1913,v `u ,pon the application of Austin R.`Dodge, of Schenectady, New York, for an im-` provement in Meters for MeasuringY Elastic F luid errors appeal-Kin the printed-y specifcation requiring correction asfollows: Page 2, line 81., for the word f charged rood "munged,- pogo ,flioo 17 ooriko ooo oho words ood oooperooiog wioh obo argo, same page, line 1.8, after the word pressure insert the words and cooperating with thierst; and that the said Letters Patent shouldy be read wthtbese corrections Vtherein that the same may conform to the record of the case inthe Patent o sgooo ooo oooled this 15th doy of apra, a. D., 1913.v

C. C. BILLINGS,

Acting Commissioner Qf Paten/ts. 

